Tips to avoid hitting a moose

GREENVILLE – Maine game wardens say motorists should be especially wary of moose while driving at night.

It’s hard to see moose after the sun goes down because their fur is dark and their eyes don’t glow in headlights the way a deer’s eyes do. Also, they’re so tall that headlights often capture only their long, skinny legs.

The result: Drivers often have only moments to react to avoid what is often a catastrophic crash, wardens say.

Game warden Sgt. Pat Dorian, who has spent 28 years patrolling the north country, said his trick when driving at dusk or at night is to turn down his dashboard and interior lights.

He said that helps him to see a moose’s shadow. “You wouldn’t believe the difference it makes,” he said.

The peak season for moose on roads runs from May through November. But moose can stray onto roads at any time of the year.